If you are flying into or out of Los Angeles this month, you have probably heard the rumors: the airport is a massive construction zone. As of January 10, 2026, the New LAX terminal 250 construction: How to avoid delays is the number one topic for frustrated travelers. This massive modernization project at the Tom Bradley International Terminal is officially in high gear, and if you don’t have a plan, you will likely find yourself stuck in the infamous LAX horseshoe for an hour before you even reach your gate.
The New LAX terminal 250 construction: How to avoid delays is part of a $30 billion project to get the city ready for the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. Right now, major sections of the departures level at Tom Bradley are behind temporary walls. This has reduced the number of drop-off lanes, creating a bottleneck that stretches all the way back to the 105 freeway. To avoid the worst of it, you need to think like a local and avoid the Upper/Departures level entirely during morning and evening rush hours.
One of the best “insider secrets” for New LAX terminal 250 construction: How to avoid delays is the Lower Level Hack. If the departures loop is backed up, tell your driver or Uber to drop you off at the Arrivals/Lower Level instead. There are often fewer cars, and you can simply take an elevator or escalator up to the ticketing counters. It usually saves at least 20 minutes of sitting in idling traffic while staring at the back of a shuttle bus.
If you are using public transport or a shuttle, the New LAX terminal 250 construction: How to avoid delays has changed the game. Several shuttle stops for Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 have been relocated to accommodate the cranes and heavy machinery near Terminal 250. Check the “FlyLAX” website or app before you arrive to see the exact location of your hotel or parking shuttle. Walking an extra 500 feet to the next available stop is much faster than waiting for a shuttle that can’t pull into a closed lane.
Parking is another area where the New LAX terminal 250 construction: How to avoid delays is causing headaches. Parking Structure 3 and 4 are often at capacity due to construction worker staging areas. To save time, I highly recommend pre-booking your parking at the LAX Economy Parking facility on 94th Street. It is cheaper, and the dedicated shuttle lane avoids the heaviest construction traffic, dropping you off right where you need to be without the stress of hunting for a spot in the central terminal area.
For those with tight connections, the New LAX terminal 250 construction: How to avoid delays means you should allow a minimum of three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international departures. Security lines are moving slower because of redirected foot traffic through narrower hallways. If you have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, now is the time to use them. These lanes are still operating, but even they are seeing longer queues than usual due to the sheer volume of travelers being squeezed into smaller spaces.
Ultimately, the New LAX terminal 250 construction: How to avoid delays boils down to patience and technology. Use real-time traffic apps like Waze or Google Maps to monitor the Sepulveda and Century Boulevard entrances. If one is red, try the other. Los Angeles is transforming into a world-class travel hub, and while these growing pains are difficult, the new terminal will be worth it. Until then, stay calm, arrive early, and keep your boarding pass ready.
